Share people's stories to give others hope

I am a travel agent turned podcaster during the Global Pandemic in 2020 and it was the best decision of my life. During last year as the travel industry came to a screeching halt, I found myself searching for my true purpose. I asked myself, "what made my heart hurt"? And the answer was knowing people feel alone makes my heart hurt. So then, I asked myself how could I fix this? So I decided to start a podcast and I talk to people that have been through struggles in pains in their life, and how they found their path back to the bright side. In talking with these people, they have told me that sharing their story was healing. And it's also two fold because it is helping people who listen to these stories, knowing they aren't alone in their own struggles. So it helps people feel better, not alone.
 

Before starting my own podcast, I listened to several podcasts. All the way from true crime, to mental health podcasts. I actually was inspired to start my podcast because of how much Jay Shetty's On Purpose podcast helped and motivated me! My goals in starting my podcast was to have in depth conversations with people about their struggles they have been through. It truly helped me not feel so alone in my own struggles. I made the decision I wanted to start a podcast at the end of July last year and set a two month goal to get everything in order. I launched at the beginning of September.
 

My episodes are released weekly and it takes me a couple hours from start to finish to edit, market, upload, transcribe, my episode. If I had a day job, I would line up my interviews on one Saturday a month a have all the episodes recorded in one day and then edit each episode on a free weeknight. If I had to add up how much I spend on podcasting a month, I would say it's probably a couple hundred bucks. Between hosting for my podcast, website, editing apps, scheduling apps, recording apps, and the list goes on.
 

I have had the same sponsor since I started my podcast. It's a service I used before podcasting and it fits my niche. But it's technically affiliate marketing. So I didn't have to worry about download numbers when I landed this sponsor. At this moment I haven't actively searched for new sponsors, but I am always willing to discuss other sponsorship's.
 

I use Streamyard to record my epsiodes as they are not yet in person. I use Audacity to edit my episodes. I use Otter.ai to trasnscribe. And then I use Canva, and Headliner to make some marketing materials.
As far as preparing for my episodes I research my guest, ask them for their story so I can prepare questions. I come up with some questions to make sure I keep the flow of the conversation in the direction it should go.
 

Listeners can find my show on any platforms. (Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc. But you can find everything at thebrightsideoflifepodcast.com. Apple Podcast seems to be where a majority of my listeners are coming from.
I would say at this present time, I would say Clubhouse is the number one social media platform that has been the most useful for connections in terms of listeners, guests, and new collaborations.
 

My biggest piece of advice I can give a new or aspiring podcaster, is don't get too distracted by your download numbers. Make sure you are serving and giving value in your podcast episodes. Creating good content is key. And my second piece of advice would be, don't shut up about your podcast. Wherever you are, keep talking about about your podcast!
 

You can learn more about me and my podcast at https://www.thebrightsideoflifepodcast.com/
You can follow me on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/the.bright.side.of.life_/
You can also find me on Clubhouse at: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/@melbright
Join our Facebook community of The Bright Side of Life at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1992892244168224